Junior Sailing Program Overview

Please click on the links below for more detailed information. 

Class Descriptions

Morning Opti Programs: This program is designed to teach children aged 8-11 how to sail Optis, a small, single-handed dinghy. Participants in this program meet Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 12:00pm.  The program has three groups: Snappers, Barracudas and Dorados.  Participants must provide their own Opti. Must turn 8yrs old within the calendar year.

Opti Development Team: This program is for advanced Opti sailors who have successfully completed the Morning Opti Program at RYC or equivalent. This program runs Monday to Friday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. All participants take part in the Captains Harbor series. Fun Days will be dispersed throughout the season based on the regatta schedule. Participants must provide their own Opti. 

Opti Race Team: This program is for our most advanced Opti sailors with a heavy racing focus. Sailing Director approval required for all participants. Participants are required to have successfully completed at least one year on our Opti Development Team or be recommended to the program by our Sailing Director. This program runs Monday to Friday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Participants take part in the Captains Harbor series and all appropriate JSA regattas. Fun Days will be dispersed throughout the season based on the regatta schedule. Participants must provide their own Opti. 

Adventure Sailing: This program meets twice a week and is designed for sailors who want to socialize and have a great time on the water while also honing their double-handed sailing skills. Participants will sail on O’Pen Skiffs, Hobie Waves, RS Fevas, Ideal 18s! All boats used will be provided by RYC. This is an ideal class for older sailors participating in an afternoon Opti program who wish to expand their sailing experience and have a fun morning on the water with friends.

Feva: Our Feva class is focused on double-handed boat-handling skills and having fun on the water. In addition to games and fun activities on the waters, practices will cover racing skills and strategy including asymmetrical spinnaker technique, racing tactics, boat speed, and the "Racing Rules of Sailing". Regatta travel encouraged. You must have your own boat and sailing partner for this program. Ages 12-17yrs or Sailing Director approval. Prerequisite: An afternoon sailing class or Sailing Director recommendation. This program runs Monday to Friday, 1:00 - 5:00pm. Participants in this program must provide their own Feva. Each participant requires a partner, but please do not let that discourage you from registering as we will work with you and other interested 420 sailors to find a partner.  

C420 Racing: Our C420 class is an advanced racing class focused on improving racing and double handed boat-handling skills. Practices will include spinnaker and trapeze techniques, tactics, starting strategies, and boat speed. Regatta travel encouraged. You must have your own boat and sailing partner for this program. Ages 14-17yrs or Sailing Director approval. Prerequisite: Feva, Laser, or Sailing Director recommendation. This program runs Monday to Friday, 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Participants in this program must provide their own C420. Each participant requires a partner, but please do not let that discourage you from registering as we will work with you and other interested C420 sailors to find a partner.  

Laser Racing: Our Laser class is designed for sailors who have completed their Opti career and who wish to continue sailing in a single-handed class. Practices will include racing tactics, starting strategies, and boat speed. Regatta travel encouraged. Participants in this program must provide their own Laser. Ages 14-17yrs or Sailing Director approval. Prerequisite: An afternoon sailing class or Sailing Director recommendation. This program runs Monday to Friday, 1:00 - 5:00pm. Participants in this program must provide their own Laser.

Recreational Sailing Program: This program is offered as 2-week, 4-week, or 8-week sessions, Mondays through Fridays from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. The class is open to 10-17 year olds with three years of sailing experience or with Sailing Director approval. Participants will use O'Pen Skiffs, Hobie Waves, and RS Fevas. The emphasis of this class is on the fun and adventurous side of sailing. Participants do not need to provide their own boat.

We hold Junior Sailing on all scheduled program days. On no wind or stormy days, Junior Sailors will participate in sailing-related arts and crafts or games, swimming, and playing on the lawn or beach. On very hot days please be sure to send enough water and a reusable water bottle to be refilled throughout the day. Please be sure to check the weather daily and send any clothing or gear items you child may need. We do go sailing in the rain.

JSA